You are thinking someone moved all these cogs to tow one car?
That is a good imagination.
Nope - saying the whole thing stinks regardless of the conspiracy theory loons...it’s a fine example of runaway bureaucracy when one suffers from a “mistake” and they “will work to help make it right” when all they have to do is say, “Oops, our bad, we’ll pay the cost of getting the car back and forgive the fine.”